WHAT IS SURF?

St. Mary's College of Maryland is pleased to offer the Seahawk Undergraduate Research Fellowship program this summer (2026).  SURF is an eight-week program in which an interdisciplinary cohort of students, each mentored by a faculty member, engages in scholarly or creative work.  Participation in SURF is competitive, based upon committee review of a project proposal, a letter of recommendation from your mentor that includes a clear commitment to work with you over the eight-week period, and your SMCM transcript. 

SURF is open to students in any year and in any discipline who will have completed the coursework necessary to prepare them for their project. Students in the program must work full-time on their project and attend two weekly group meetings, during which they will report on their progress, discuss the scholarship of their discipline, learn about their peers’ work, and participate in professional development workshops. Students present their work at the SURF Symposium at the conclusion of the program and potentially to the wider community during the following academic year. 

SURF fellows receive a $4,000 stipend, on-campus housing, and a meal plan.  

Upon approval, students may also be awarded funds for necessary project materials.